by Roger Quinn

Created on: August 11, 2010   Last Updated: August 12, 2010

The Dallas Stars decided to let Marty Turco and Mike Modano go this off-season and move in the direction of youth.  Those young players are going to have to step up their game this season if the Stars are going to make the playoffs, and if Marc Crawford is going to keep his job as head coach.

Offensively Dallas could be very good this season if Jamie Benn, James Neal, and Loui Eriksson can step up and continue to develop.  Dallas has 3 potential 30-40 goal scorers there, and to put that around Brad Richards could be lethal.  Then again, any of those three players could keep last season's form or take a step back.  You just don't know with young players.  Behind the first two lines Steve Ott provides scoring depth and toughness.  Depth and scoring should not be an issue for the Stars.

Defensively Dallas looks to have some issues.  Stephane Robidas is a good option on a top pair, but behind him are Trevor Daley, Karlis Skratins, Nicklas Grossman and others.  These are not good options for second pairs, or half of a top pair for that matter.  And unlike their forwards, the Stars do not have a young defensemen who you can look at and say he should be better this season than last.  If Dallas's offense carries them to the point where they are close to the playoffs, look for them to add a defensemen through a mid-season trade.  They probably do not have enough to add a Tomas Kaberle, but then again if all their players step up like they are capable of doing they could have a top six forward to spare. 

The blueline is an especially glaring hole for a team expecting Kari Lehtonen to carry the load in net.  Lehtonen is certainly capable of being a starter if he is healthy and in shape, but that has not been easy for him throughout his career.  It is no mistake that Lehtonen had a .912 and .916 save percentage in Atlanta and could not hold onto a starting gig there.

This is a season of transition for the Dallas Stars.  They are dumping their old players and showing their fans what the future has in store.  Offensively the future looks very bright.  On the defensive side it does not look quite as good.  If Dallas get its young players to develop the playoffs are likely, and if they add a defensemen they could make a small run.

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